FDIC 2011—as traveled by me

Ahhhhh….returned home last night from another whirlwind weekend…and had no orders attached to the end of it like my trip to Baltimore.

Me and “the Deer Slayer” (aka “the Green Machine”, “WTF is that?”, and “Rescue 4”) made our way eastward on 74 at a good rate of putter.  The entire time knowing I had a goal of being there around 1400 EDT (Thanks, Boss, for not shoving me out and letting us shoot the wind). By the time I reached and crossed the IL/IN border, I had a few inquisitive tweets and texts as to my whereabouts. One was a Beautiful maiden telling me that she was going to be “living vicariously thru u this weekend”.

After a couple of missed turns (and too late to hit the convention center (especially after I was told it was $45 to get in per day)), I ended at my hotel.

I figured since I had time before the meet up, I figured I’d take care of about 5 days of weeds on my face before I went. I no sooner had my lower jaw covered with shaving cream when another text came in “We’re here…surprise.”

I made my way to the door and had to crane my neck when I opened it and saw gingermedic and the before mentioned beauty.  Needless to say, my jaw hit the concrete.  Here I was, shaving cream on my face, one path of a razor down my neck, and two beautiful women come to my door.

I let the ladies in and return to finish the removal of the beard from my face (Damn, a lot of grey hair shows in my beard when I don’t shave). We then draft some kind of game plan for the night.

While all the thinking was going on (explains the HA I had), @Ckemtp comes a pounding on my door.  Three medics and a basic 28 days out of the month (only a combat medic on reserve weekends) planning to invade a fire party.  This is gonna be fun.

When we finally found a place to park and got there we were greeted by @FireCritic and made our way to get a soda and a glass of water. was actually surprised he could stay out as late as he did

And of course Dave Statter already knew about the blog post before I even composed it.

Was a shock to have the publisher of EMS World sit and talk to us for a little bit.  Was also “very cool” to meet Tiger Schmittendorf, the host of “Firefighter Storytellers” on Firefighter Netcast.

We ended up going back to the room early and becoming pretty much asystolic.  Saturday’s events (to include my 21 second obstacle course time) in the next.

RED Fridays [Sometimes it isn’t the thought that counts]

A young lady that I know on twitter posted this and I told her I would repost in my blog.

Our guest blogger:  @medic61

There has been a campaign that has recently resurfaced to have US citizens wear red shirts on Fridays to “Remember Everyone Deployed.” But what does wearing a red shirt mean to our soldiers who are actually deployed? No one deployed is going to be able to look and see that his or her loved ones are wearing red in support. But what members of our armed forces CAN do is hold a letter in their hands, excitedly open a care package, or read an encouraging email.

It would be so much more helpful and meaningful to write a letter or send a package to our deployed military service members. Even if you don’t know someone who is deployed, there are tons of organizations that can help you get in touch. You can even talk to your friends and see if they have deployed loved ones that could use support.

As some of you may know, one of my closest friends who has been a constant source of strength and support in my life for many years has just come back from Afghanistan.  We spent a year writing letters, sending packages, having short phone calls and skype conversations, and now he is finally back in the US.  The picture posted with this rant note is of him holding his half of our mizpah coin (we aren’t religious people, but just appreciate the sentiment of the necklace) while on mission somewhere in Afghanistan.  I don’t think knowing I was wearing red would have helped him feel any less lonely/homesick/tired of being in Afghanistan, but maybe holding that necklace, reading my letters, or getting my packages did.

So I guess what I’m saying here is: instead of being passively supportive, make an active difference!

If you want more information, here are some websites you can check out:

http://www.anysoldier.com/
http://www.letterstosoldiers.org/
http://www.uso.org/
http://www.amillionthanks.org/
http://troopssupport.com/
http://soldiersangels.com

Also, if you want more information you can always contact me personally. 

Please, don’t get me wrong; I love that people are thinking of our deployed men and women and want to show their support.  I’m not trying to dissuade you from wearing red on Fridays at all!  What I am doing, however, is urging you to let our service members know how much you really care through other (more direct) avenues as well, because sometimes it isn’t just the thought that counts.  For instance, you and your friends could participate in RED Friday and send a letter to a deployed soldier along with a picture of you all.  That way, they can actually see the solidarity and unity being displayed back home.  Be creative, get involved, and let those who are risking their lives that we appreciate them.

Feel free to reblog; I’d love to get the word out to as many people as possible about how they can get involved if they’re interested!

note to medic61:  I did.  Just now.

The Baltimore Surprise

Folks have no clue how hard it was to keep it quiet...

It was next to impossible, but I did with limited personnel knowing what was going on.

Friday afternoon, I finally let the cat out of the bag with the tweet of "WHERE'S THE PARTY?" when I checked in on foursquare.

The "other medic dressed in green" had arrived at EMS Today, and my head is STILL reeling from all that happened.

I arrived at the convention center and made my way down to the exhibit hall floor.  I made that right turn and proceeded to the Zoll both. When I got there, the first two folks I met were @Ckemtp and @NJDiveMedic. Of course, I was easily recognizable wearing my issue fleece jacket with my rank and name on it. Then we looked over and saw "The 'mother' of EMS 2.0 and Chronicles", Sam Bradley. Little did I know that I would be signing a copy of my book when I met her.

Then (as soon as he stopped flapping his gums) I met @theHappyMedic and the awe-struck and shell shock was starting to hit.

After about 2/3 of a lap around the hall, we stopped at the podcast booth where I met @MsParamedic, one of the two SMOKIN' #HAWTIES from GenMed, also meeting up with @gingermedic and Dave Konig. I also got the chance to call @gfreise a "cheddarhead" and offer him a chance to root for a real football team, but I didn't capitalize on it--still very much awestruck.

I sent a text to @shell1972 with the exact words "OMFG my head is REELING", to which she replied that she knew the feeling and agreed that these are some awesome folks...WOW is the only word I can think of.

While going out to have a smoke, I ended up meeting @SES4EMS, and little did I know that it was far from over.

Later on Friday evening, I met the one person that, after I sent his picture to shell, I got called an asshole by her.  I met the man himself, @setla. He told me that he was honored to finally meet me.  Honestly, the pleasure of meet him was truly mine.

After the crew busted out of the Pratt St. Ale House, going to another bar in a more historic area of Baltimore, I was again awestruck as I met @geekymedic, the @podmedic, and also got to meet the other GenMed SMOKIN #HAWTIE, @medic61, along with @DrAnonymous.



Damn, this is the most blue I've seen on one blog post that I have written ever...

Saturday morning and early afternoon were equally awe inspiring as I met the @AmboDriver himself, Mr. Kelly Grayson along with the half of Firefighter Netcast that lives in an area PRETENDING to be part of Illinois, John Mitchell. (DON'T FORGET MY COFFEE CUP AT FDIC)

I know that there's QUITE A FEW  MANY that I'm forgetting right now...I just might have to make a part 2 to this post.

Most of all, I want to thank a beautiful lady for accompanying me this weekend.  I had a WONDERFUL time with @wvmedicgirl that I won't forget anytime soon.

Now, I will say that this ended up having one of the usual @ssgjbroyles induced boo-boos that I am known to have.  Let me just say, when the notice on my phone goes off...GET TO THE AIRPORT--yep, I screwed myself up again...more on that later.

I need to have a couple more cups of coffee to decompress.

Man, these folks can PARTY